This weekend, as we pass the halfway point of our Lenten journey, we celebrate Laetare Sunday, so named because of the first word, in Latin, of the entrance antiphon in the Roman Missal for today’s Mass. Like Gaudete Sunday in Advent, Laetare Sunday was, traditionally, a day to “lighten up” on the severe discipline of Lent. Today’s gospel sounds that joyful tone. In the Parable of the Prodigal Son we encounter the intersection of mercy and joy. Mercy, Pope Francis writes, is the ultimate and supreme act by which God comes to meet us [Misericordiae Vultus, 1]. By its very nature, mercy is freely given. In the parable, the father catches sight of his younger son and rushes to embrace him. Even though he has no reason to expect it and has certainly not merited it, the prodigal is welcomed back into his father’s home unequivocally. The acceptance of his father’s mercy is the trigger for the joyful celebration which follows. The older son, too, is prodigal, but tragically cannot recognize it. He is driven away from his father by his own self-righteousness and stubborn resentment. The father goes to this son, also, but Jesus leaves us hanging as to whether this son will respond to his father’s love.
As we continue on our Lenten way this week, contemplate this intersection of mercy and joy with the simple question: Which son am I? Mercy...expresses God’s way of reaching out to the sinner, offering him a new chance to look at himself, convert, and believe. [Misericordiae Vultus, 21] Only when we truly recognize our sinfulness, which drives us away from the Father’s embrace, can we be met by the One who loves us and accept His call to conversion so that we may joyfully dwell in and celebrate His love.
And, if you have not yet made it to the Sacrament of Reconciliation this Lent, elsewhere in today’s bulletin you will find the remaining scheduled opportunities to celebrate it before Holy Week (please take note that the last scheduled opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation before Easter will be at the regional penance service at St. John on April 12). For some of us the Sacrament of Reconciliation is a regular part of our spiritual lives; others have not frequented this sacrament for some time. Whatever the case, when we can acknowledge our sins and failures we open ourselves to the healing grace of the Father who loves us beyond all imagining. Experiencing the grace of this marvelous sacrament of God’s love and mercy is a wonderful way to celebrate this holy season and prepare us for the joy of Easter, which is drawing near. I urge you to avail yourself of this sacrament during these final weeks of Lent.
Our 2025 Diocesan Lenten Appeal is off to a great start! Thanks to everyone who has already made a pledge or gift to this year’s appeal. The weekly graphic elsewhere in the bulletin will keep you updated on our progress at both parishes. We want to keep the momentum going so that we can get to work on our parish’s needs...at St. John to refinish the crucifix in the church...and at Holy Family to address two leaks in the stone work on the façade of the church...and at both parishes to create a dedicated building fund to begin addressing other needs. Please prayerfully consider your pledge or gift to this year’s DLA in the coming days. You may return your pledge or gift by mail, in person during office hours, or drop it in the collection basket. You can also make your pledge online by clicking on the “Donate” link on our parish website or by visiting the diocesan website, www.dioceseofgreensburg.org.
Don’t forget your Easter Flowers envelope. This collection is used to help defray the cost of decorating our church throughout the Easter Season. You may put this envelope in the collection basket anytime over the coming weeks. There is space on the envelope to list the names of deceased loved ones whom you wish to be remembered during the Easter Season; there will be a Mass offered on Easter Sunday at both parishes for this intention.
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